Why Does a Pianist Like Certain Styles?
Understanding one’s preferences regarding art is always difficult
I’ve boiled it down like this.
1.First, we have the music itself, simply sounds organized for some artistic purpose.
2. Next, these sounds must be actually perceived by the recipient. Perception depends on paying attention as well as being ABLE to perceive. For example, a trained ear hears many things that the ordinary listener does not. I tell my students that they will hear subtleties in music that the ordinary person simply can not perceive. Additionally, paying attention depends on not being distracted. There is also the listener’s willingness to perceive. Thus, this point is complex.
3. The perception must affect the recipient. There are a large variety of possible effects, from amusement to irritation. Good musicians know, in general, which perceptions cause which human effects, although there are always individual differences. Luckily, humans have a lot in common, such as a preference for a steady beat and a clear melody.
4. Finally, the recipient must value the effect caused. If the recipient doesn’t like the effect that his perception of the art has on him, he will avoid that music in the future. “I don’t like how this music makes me feel.” he might say.
It’s the job of any pianist who wishes to have their work valued to analyze this chain of events so they can use it to their own advantage. Often, musicians can sort of “intuit” the entire process, mostly by observing their efforts over time and discarding those efforts that “didn’t come out right.” This is usually called “paying one’s dues.”
Now the process above is true for individual preferences, but in some individuals the likes and dislikes of either experts or their peers shape their preferences more than their own natures. Here the sequence above is subordinated to discovering what’s “hip” and “new” and “with-it” either by turning to such things as the music industry (which explains American Idol) or whatever is on their friends’ ipods.
Also, regardless of what individuals like, the topic of payment can distort everything. What sells is as much as matter of good marketing as musical effectiveness.
Thus, the topic of “Why do I like what I like” or “Why do I surround myself with _________(fill in the blank with some genre of music, etc.)” is a complex one and I’d welcome any input readers might provide via comments. For more advanced coverage of this topic and many others see the ebook “Dan Starr’s Big Book of Adult Piano” available here.
Tags: American Idol, Analyze This, Artistic Purpose, Individual Differences, Intuit, Listener, Many Things, Melody, Music Industry, Musicians, Natures, Ordinary Person, Paying Attention, Peers, Perception, Perceptions, Pianist, Preference, Subtleties, Willingness
